MSL 2018: AB de Villiers appointed as captain of Tshwane Spartans

AB de Villiers has been appointed as captain of the Tshwane Spartans for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League which starts on November 16 in Cape Town.

The 34-year old De Villiers‚ who has featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its beginning‚ comes with lots of experience into the MSL as he has played in 251 T20 matches till date and has scored 6649 runs with an average of 35.36.

“It’s a huge honour to captain this team in the first Mzansi Super League‚” he said ahead of the tournament opener against Cape Town Blitz at Newlands on Friday.

“I am really excited to work with this group of players because there’s a lot of talent‚ with a great balance between youth and experience.

“Even though we are missing out on a few players that aren’t available yet‚ we still have a fantastic balance in the side.

“There’s good skill right through‚ with batting depth all the way down to number nine‚ which isn’t normally the case with T20 cricket.

“I am excited about our bowlers as well.

“There’s lots of experience with a number of guys who have done this day in and day out and a couple of wrist spinners‚ with the option to go right or left-arm orthodox‚ so there are lots of variations.”

The former South Africa skipper said he would draw on his vast previous during the tournament.

“I try to lead from the front and rely on the experience I have picked up over the years‚” he said.

“I believe I am a decent man-manager when it comes to understanding players’ strengths and weaknesses. I am looking forward to this exciting challenge.”

In May this year, De Villiers had announced his retirement from the international cricket. He is considered to be one of the greatest batsmen of all-time, having appeared in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20I for the Proteas side.

He finished his career with an incredible 20,014 international runs, including 8,765 in Tests, 9,577 in ODIs and 1,672 in T20Is.